Indian PM Modi holds talks with Sharif

New prime minister asks his Pakistani counterpart to crack down on fighters operating from Pakistan soil.

27 May 2014 11:34 GMT

A day after being sworn in as India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, has held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in India's capital, New Delhi.

Modi told Sharif to crack down on fighters operating in Pakistan, while stressing his desire for better relations and trade, the Indian foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

"PM underlined our concerns relating to terrorism. It was conveyed that Pakistan must abide by its commitment to prevent its territory and territory under its control from being used for terrorism against India," Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh told reporters after the meeting.

Modi also said the two countries could immediately move towards normalising trade ties that have been held hostage to their political differences.

Sharif was one of six regional leaders who attended the inauguration ceremony in New Delhi on Monday evening for Modi.

India's new prime minister also met with leaders of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Mauritius and Nepal in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Modi decided last week to invite Sharif and other South Asian leaders to his inauguration.

In an interview with India's NDTV, Sharif, who won Pakistan's election last year, said Modi's arrival in power after a landslide election victory represented a "great opportunity" for the countries to open a new chapter in relations.

"This is a chance to reach out to each other. Both governments have a strong mandate," he said.